U.S. patent application number 17/178093 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-18 for turkey tail decoy.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitchell W. BEAL. Invention is credited to Mitchell W. BEAL.
Application Number | 20220256836 17/178093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220256836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BEAL; Mitchell W. |
August 18, 2022 |
TURKEY TAIL DECOY
Abstract
A turkey decoy comprised of a moveable tail that is controlled
remotely by the operator to produce a life-like animation of the
decoy. The movable tail raises and lowers and the tail feathers fan
out in a display, simulating realistic activity. The movable
components of the decoy are controlled remotely by means of a pull
cord.
Inventors: |
BEAL; Mitchell W.; (Beals,
ME) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BEAL; Mitchell W. |
Beals |
ME |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/178093 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A01M 31/06 20060101
A01M031/06 |
Claims
1. A turkey decoy comprising a frame, a tail assembly, and a tail
movement mechanism; wherein said frame is substantially rigid and
is adapted to pivotally attach said tail assembly, wherein said
frame comprises a cross member used as a pivot point for the tail
assembly, said cross member being a substantially horizontally
oriented rod, said tail assembly is a representation of the tail of
a male turkey and comprises a plurality of feather members, with
said feather members being movable in relation to each other, and
said tail movement mechanism is suitably adapted to pivotally move
the tail assembly in relation to the frame, and to move the feather
members in relation to each other, with said tail movement
mechanism further adapted to being controlled remotely by an
operator.
2. The decoy of claim 1 further comprising a securing member,
wherein said securing member is substantially rigid, and has a
distal end adapted to being in contact with the ground, with said
securing member comprising a pair of elongate legs, each leg
oriented substantially parallel to the other leg, with distal ends
of said legs configured to allow for insertion of lower portions of
said legs into the ground, and one or more cross members, each said
cross member being oriented substantially perpendicular to and
attached to the legs; whereby said securing member is adapted to
secure said decoy to the ground.
3. The decoy of claim 1 wherein the tail assembly further comprises
a feather member holder, said feather member holder being comprised
of a first plate and a second plate, with the first and second
plates being substantially planar and oriented parallel to and
spaced apart from each other, forming a gap therebetween, whereby
the plurality of feather members are located within the gap of the
feather member holder and pivotally secured therein, and the
feather member holder is further comprised of a first arm, a second
arm, and a central attachment component, with the first arm located
on one side of a midpoint of the feather member holder, the second
arm located on an opposite side of the midpoint, and the central
attachment component located between the first and second arms and
extending in a downward direction; whereby the feather members are
arranged linearly within the feather member holder, being placed
within the gap between the first and second plates of the feather
member holder such that an upper portion of each feather member
extends above the feather member holder and a lower portion of each
feather member extends below the feather member holder, with the
feather members distributed substantially equally between the first
and second arms of the feather member holder, and the central
attachment component provides a pivotal connection between the tail
assembly and the frame.
4. The decoy of claim 1 wherein the tail movement mechanism
comprises a control cord in connection with the tail assembly to
raise and lower the tail assembly and to fan and unfan the feather
members; whereby the operator controls movement of the tail
assembly by applying or releasing a force to the control cord, with
an application of a force on the control cord resulting in the
movement of the tail assembly in a substantially upward direction
and a fanning of the feather members, and a release of a force from
the control cord resulting in a movement of the tail assembly in a
substantially downward direction and an unfanning of the feather
members.
5. The decoy of claim 1 wherein each feather member of the tail
assembly is comprised of a feather element and a sleeve.
6. The decoy of claim 5 wherein each feather element of the feather
members is a representation of a tail feather of a male turkey,
with each feather element comprising a vane and a shaft, with the
shaft integrated with the vane and a distal portion of the shaft
extending beyond the vane, and each sleeve of the feather members
is elongate and has a hollow interior and an opening at its upper
end, such that the distal portion of the shaft of each feather
element is adapted to be inserted through said opening and into
said hollow interior of its corresponding sleeve.
7. The decoy of claim 5 wherein the tail assembly further comprises
a feather member holder, with the plurality of feather members held
within the feather member holder.
8. The decoy of claim 7 wherein the feather member holder is
comprised of a first plate and a second plate, with the first and
second plates being substantially planar and oriented parallel to
and spaced apart from each other, forming a gap therebetween,
whereby the feather members are located within the gap of the
feather member holder and pivotally secured therein.
9. The decoy of claim 8 wherein the feather member holder is
comprised of a first arm, a second arm, and a central attachment
component, with the first arm located on one side of a midpoint of
the feather member holder, the second arm located on an opposite
side of the midpoint, and the central attachment component located
between the first and second arms and extending in a downward
direction; whereby the feather members are arranged linearly within
the feather member holder, being placed within the gap between the
first and second plates of the feather member holder such that an
upper portion of the sleeve of each feather member extends above
the feather member holder and a lower portion of the sleeve of each
feather member extends below the feather member holder, with the
feather members distributed substantially equally between the first
and second arms of the feather member holder, and the central
attachment component provides an interface between the tail
assembly and the frame.
10. The decoy of claim 9 wherein each sleeve of the feather members
is pivotally secured within the feather member holder by use of a
pivot pin located on the sleeve at a pivot point between the upper
and lower portions of the sleeve, with each said pivot pin running
from the first plate to the second plate of the feather member
holder; whereby the feather members are located proximate to each
other such that a pivotal movement of one feather member causes it
to contact and pivotally move an adjacent feather member.
11. The decoy of claim 9 wherein the central attachment component
serves as a point of pivotal attachment of the tail assembly to the
pivot point cross member of the frame.
12. The decoy of claim 9 wherein the tail assembly further
comprises an elongate, substantially rigid attachment member;
whereby said attachment member is pivotally attached at its lower
end to the pivot point cross member of the frame and is fixedly
attached at its upper end to the central attachment component of
the feather member holder.
13. The decoy of claim 12 wherein the attachment member of the tail
assembly has a first portion and a second portion, where the first
and second portions are joinable, with concavities formed into
lower ends of the first and second portions of the attachment
member such that said concavities together form an aperture which
accommodates the pivot point cross member of the frame, with the
first and second portions of the attachment member being removably
secured to each other by one or more fasteners.
14. The decoy of claim 10 wherein the tail movement mechanism
comprises a control cord in connection with the tail assembly to
raise and lower the tail assembly and to fan and unfan the feather
members; whereby the operator controls movement of the tail
assembly by applying or releasing a force to the control cord, with
an application of a force on the control cord resulting in the
movement of the tail assembly in a substantially upward direction
and a fanning of the feather members, and a release of a force from
the control cord resulting in a movement of the tail assembly in a
substantially downward direction and an unfanning of the feather
members.
15. The decoy of claim 14 wherein the tail assembly further
comprises a control cord attachment point located on the central
attachment component of the feather member holder of the tail
assembly, with an end of the control cord being attached to the
control cord attachment point.
16. The decoy of claim 15 wherein the tail movement mechanism
further comprises one or more tail assembly biasing members, with
said one or more tail assembly biasing members in connection with
the tail assembly and in connection with the frame, wherein each of
said one or more tail assembly biasing members is configured to
bias the tail assembly towards a downward orientation.
17. The decoy of claim 14 wherein the tail movement mechanism
further comprises a first sleeve cord guide and a second sleeve
cord guide, and the control cord comprises a first sub-control cord
and a second sub-control cord, wherein the first sleeve cord guide
is located at the lower portion of the sleeve of one of the feather
members located within the first arm of the feather member holder,
the second sleeve cord guide is located at the lower portion of the
sleeve of one of the feather members located within the second arm
of the feather member holder, the first sub-control cord has a
first end and a second end and forms a portion of the control cord
proximate to the control cord attachment point, the second
sub-control cord has a first end and a second end and forms a
portion of the control cord proximate to the control cord
attachment point, said second sub-control cord being of
substantially the same length as the first sub-control cord, with
the first end of the second sub-control cord fixedly attached to
the first end of the first sub-control cord and the second end of
the second sub-control cord fixedly attached to the second end of
the first sub-control cord; wherein the first sub-control cord is
configured to pass through the sleeve cord guide of the sleeve of
the feather member located within the first arm of the feather
member holder, and the second sub-control cord is configured to
pass through the sleeve cord guide of the sleeve of the feather
member located within the second arm of the feather member holder;
whereby the operator controls movement of the feather members by
applying or releasing a force to the control cord, with an
application of a force on the control cord causing the first
sub-control cord and second sub-control cord to be drawn towards
each other, causing the lower portion of the sleeve of the feather
member to which the first sleeve cord guide is attached to pivot
towards the central attachment component of the feather member
holder and the lower portion of the sleeve of feather member to
which the second sleeve cord guide is attached to pivot towards the
central attachment component of the feather member holder, thereby
moving the lower portions of the sleeves of the remaining feather
members in a like manner towards the central attachment component
of the feather member holder, resulting in the upper portions of
said sleeves to move away from the central attachment component of
the feather member holder, effecting a fanning of the feather
members, and a release of force on the control cord causing the
first sub-control cord and second sub-control cord to be move away
from each other, causing the lower portion of the sleeve of the
feather member to which the first sleeve cord guide is attached to
pivot away from the central attachment component of the feather
member holder and the lower portion of the sleeve of the feather
member to which the second sleeve cord guide is attached to pivot
away from the central attachment component of the feather member
holder, thereby moving the lower portions of the sleeves of the
remaining feather members in a like manner away from the central
attachment component of the feather member holder, resulting in the
upper portions of said sleeves to move towards the central
attachment component of the feather member holder, effecting an
unfanning of the feather members.
18. The decoy of claim 17 wherein the tail movement mechanism
further comprises a first feather member biasing member and a
second feather member biasing member, with the first feather member
biasing member in connection with the first sleeve cord guide and
in connection with the frame, and the second feather member biasing
member in connection with the second sleeve cord guide and in
connection with the frame; wherein the first feather member biasing
member and the second feather member biasing member is each
configured to bias the feather members towards an unfanned
orientation.
19. The decoy of claim 2 wherein the securing member is integrated
with the frame, said frame and securing member forming a monolithic
component, and wherein the frame is further comprised of a top
cross member which is angled at its midpoint and oriented at an
angle relative to the legs of the securing member.
20. The turkey decoy of claim 14 wherein the application or
releasing of the force to the control cord is accomplished through
the use of an electronic device which is remotely activated by the
operator.
21. The decoy of claim 1 wherein the tail assembly further
comprises a feather member holder, said feather member holder being
comprised of a plate, whereby the plurality of feather members are
pivotally secured to one side of the plate, and the feather member
holder is further comprised of a first arm, a second arm, and a
central attachment component, with the first arm located on one
side of a midpoint of the feather member holder, the second arm
located on an opposite side of the midpoint, and the central
attachment component located between the first and second arms and
extending in a downward direction; whereby the feather members are
arranged linearly along the feather member holder, being placed
along the plate of the feather member holder such that an upper
portion of each feather member extends above the feather member
holder and a lower portion of each feather member extends below the
feather member holder, with the feather members distributed
substantially equally between the first and second arms of the
feather member holder, and the central attachment component
provides a pivotal connection between the tail assembly and the
frame.
22. The decoy of claim 5 wherein each feather element of the
feather members is a representation of one or more tail feathers of
a male turkey, with each of the one or more tail feathers of each
feather element comprising a vane and a shaft, with the shaft
integrated with the vane and a distal portion of the shaft
extending beyond the vane, and each sleeve of each feather member
is elongate with an upper portion, wherein said upper portion of
each sleeve is configured to have attached thereto the one or more
tail feathers comprising each said feather element, whereby the
distal portion of the shaft of each of the one or more tail
feathers of each feather element is adapted to be secured to the
upper portion of its corresponding sleeve.
23. A turkey decoy comprising a frame, a tail assembly, and a tail
movement mechanism; wherein said frame is substantially rigid and
is adapted to pivotally attach said tail assembly, wherein said
frame comprises a cross member used as a pivot point for the tail
assembly, said tail assembly is a representation of the tail of a
male turkey and comprises a plurality of feather members and a
feather member holder, with the plurality of feather members held
within the feather member holder, wherein each feather member of
the tail assembly is comprised of a feather element and a sleeve,
with said feather members being movable in relation to each other,
and said tail movement mechanism is suitably adapted to pivotally
move the tail assembly in relation to the frame, and to move the
feather members in relation to each other, with said tail movement
mechanism further adapted to being controlled remotely by an
operator; wherein the feather members are pivotally secured to the
feather member holder, with each sleeve of the feather members
being pivotally secured within the feather member holder by use of
a pivot pin located on the sleeve at a pivot point between the
upper and lower portions of the sleeve; the feather member holder
is comprised of a first arm, a second arm, and a central attachment
component, with the first arm located on one side of a midpoint of
the feather member holder, the second arm located on an opposite
side of the midpoint, and the central attachment component located
between the first and second arms and extending in a downward
direction, whereby the feather members are arranged linearly within
the feather member holder, such that an upper portion of the sleeve
of each feather member extends above the feather member holder and
a lower portion of the sleeve of each feather member extends below
the feather member holder, with the feather members distributed
substantially equally between the first and second arms of the
feather member holder, and the central attachment component
provides an interface between the tail assembly and the frame; the
tail movement mechanism comprises a control cord in connection with
the tail assembly to raise and lower the tail assembly and to fan
and unfan the feather members; the tail movement mechanism further
comprises a first movement rod, a second movement rod, a first
sleeve cord guide, and a second sleeve cord guide, and the control
cord comprises a first sub-control cord and a second sub-control
cord, wherein the lower portion of each sleeve located within the
first arm of the feather member holder is pivotally attached to the
first movement rod, and the lower portion of each sleeve located
within the second arm of the feather member holder is pivotally
attached to the second movement rod, with the first and second
movement rods keeping their respective sleeves apart from each
other, whereby movement of the first movement rod causes each
sleeve attached thereto to pivot simultaneously with each other
sleeve attached thereto, and movement of the second movement rod
causes each sleeve attached thereto to pivot simultaneously with
each other sleeve attached thereto, wherein the first sleeve cord
guide is located on the first movement rod and the second sleeve
cord guide is located on the second movement rod, the first
sub-control cord has a first end and a second end and forms a
portion of the control cord proximate to the control cord
attachment point, the second sub-control cord has a first end and a
second end and forms a portion of the control cord proximate to the
control cord attachment point, said second sub-control cord being
of substantially the same length as the first sub-control cord,
with the first end of the second sub-control cord fixedly attached
to the first end of the first sub-control cord and the second end
of the second sub-control cord fixedly attached to the second end
of the first sub-control cord; wherein the first sub-control cord
is configured to pass through the sleeve cord guide of the first
movement rod, and the second sub-control cord is configured to pass
through the sleeve cord guide of the second movement rod; whereby
the operator controls movement of the feather members by applying
or releasing a force to the control cord, with an application of a
force on the control cord causing the first sub-control cord and
second sub-control cord to be drawn towards each other, causing the
first movement rod to move towards the central attachment component
of the feather member holder and the second movement rod to move
towards the central attachment component of the feather member
holder, thereby moving the lower portions of the sleeves of the
feather members attached thereto in a like manner towards the
central attachment component of the feather member holder,
resulting in the upper portions of said sleeves to move away from
the central attachment component of the feather member holder,
effecting a fanning of the feather members, and a release of force
on the control cord causing the first sub-control cord and second
sub-control cord to be move away from each other, causing the first
movement rod to move away from the central attachment component of
the feather member holder and the second movement rod to move away
from the central attachment component of the feather member holder,
thereby moving the lower portions of the sleeves of the feather
members attached thereto in a like manner away from the central
attachment component of the feather member holder, resulting in the
upper portions of said sleeves to move towards the central
attachment component of the feather member holder, effecting an
unfanning of the feather members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of game
decoys. More particularly, the present invention is directed to
turkey decoys having movement to simulate live wild turkeys.
Description of Prior Art
[0002] Turkey decoys are well known in the art. They are used
primarily by hunters to attract wild turkeys, though bird watchers
also use them. They range from simple, two dimensional cardboard
cutouts to realistic three dimensional designs with moving
components intended to simulate live turkeys.
[0003] Of the turkey decoys that use moving components to simulate
live turkeys, most are either limited in the types of movement or
limited in the control of the movement, or overly complex and too
expensive. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,942, to Lanius (Jan. 4,
1994), discloses a turkey decoy having a head/neck component that
pivots forward and backward and is activated by a string. U.S. Pat.
No. 6,092,322, to Samaras (Jul. 25, 2000), discloses a turkey decoy
with a movable head. The head is attached to the body by a hook and
loop assembly, with movement achieved by naturally occurring wind.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,440, to Summers, et al. (Mar. 23, 2004),
discloses a robotic turkey decoy mounted on a movable
self-propelled frame and having a fannable tail assembly. U.S. Pat.
No. 6,775,943, to Loughman (Aug. 17, 2004), discloses a turkey
decoy with a separate (unattached) rotating tail structure operated
by a pull string. U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,352, to Kirby (Oct. 30,
2007), discloses a turkey decoy with a movable anterior portion
(head/neck/shoulders) and/or a movable posterior portion
(tail/haunch). Movement of either portion is accomplished by a
motor and a remote electronic transmitting device.
[0004] All of the foregoing designs are limited in the type of
movement or the control of the movement. Decoys that depend on
naturally occurring wind are useless when the wind does not blow.
Decoys that are movable in just one portion do not accurately
simulate a live bird. Decoys that require electronic devices to
effect movement are too expensive and complicated. Decoys which do
not utilize fanning simulated tails are not life-like enough.
[0005] It is therefore shown that there is a need for a life-like
turkey decoy that comprises a movable tail component to accurately
simulate a live turkey while being remotely controlled by an
operator, and being inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use and
maintain.
[0006] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
life-like turkey decoy comprised of a movable tail component.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
life-like turkey decoy comprised of a movable tail component that
is controllable by a remote operator.
[0008] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a life-like turkey decoy that simulates a fannable
tail.
[0009] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a life-like turkey decoy that uses real turkey feathers in
a fannable tail.
[0010] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a life-like turkey decoy that is inexpensive to
manufacture.
[0011] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a life-like turkey decoy that is easy to use and
maintain.
[0012] Other objects of the present invention will be readily
apparent from the description that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention comprises a turkey decoy comprised of
a movable tail assembly having tail fanning capabilities, to mimic
the activities of a male turkey. The movement of the tail and tail
fanning is accomplished by a remote operator, to minimize detection
by the prey turkey while providing specific control to the
movements of the decoy independently of environmental
considerations, such as the lack of wind.
[0014] In one embodiment the turkey decoy comprises a frame.
Movably coupled to the frame is a tail assembly. The tail assembly
is a representation of the tail of a male turkey. The tail assembly
may comprise a plurality of real or artificial turkey feathers and
is capable of being fanned, i.e., having the feathers movable to
either a spread out orientation ("fanned") or a compact orientation
("unfanned"). The turkey decoy may also have a securing member,
adapted to secure the decoy to the ground.
[0015] The tail assembly is by default oriented in a substantially
downward position until movement is initiated by the operator. A
cord attached to the tail assembly allows the tail assembly to be
moved upward, simulating a turkey raising its tail to attract a
mate. The cord may be moved by the operator pulling on it, or by an
electric actuator moving it upon receipt of a communication signal.
Release of the cord allows the tail assembly to return to the
downward position. The tail fanning activity occurs when the tail
assembly is moved to the raised position, causing the feathers to
fan, simulating a male turkey's mating display.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention are
described below.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of one embodiment of the
device of the present invention. The tail assembly is shown in its
lowered orientation and the feather members are unfanned.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of the
device depicted in FIG. 1. The tail assembly is shown in its raised
orientation and the feather members are fanned.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the embodiment of the device
depicted in FIG. 1 showing the tail assembly in greater detail.
Portions of the cross members of the frame are shown, though the
legs of the securing member are omitted.
[0020] FIG. 4A is a rear plan view of the embodiment of the device
depicted in FIG. 1 showing the tail movement mechanism and the tail
assembly, with the feather members in an unfanned state (only two
of the sleeves of the feather members are shown, and the feather
elements of the feather members are omitted).
[0021] FIG. 4B is a rear plan view of the embodiment of the device
depicted in FIG. 4A showing the tail movement mechanism and the
tail assembly, with the feather members in their fanned state (only
two of the sleeves of the feather members are shown, and the
feather elements of the feather members are omitted). Arrows show
the direction of movement of components of the tail movement
mechanism and the feather members as the tail movement mechanism is
used to raise the tail assembly and fan the feather members.
[0022] FIG. 5A is a stylized side view of the device of the present
invention, showing the tail assembly in the lowered position.
[0023] FIG. 5B is a stylized side view of the device depicted in
FIG. 5A, showing the tail assembly in the raised position. Arrows
show the direction of movement of components of the tail movement
mechanism and the tail assembly as the tail movement mechanism is
used to raise the tail assembly.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the device using movement rods to effect tail fanning and unfanning
movements (the feather elements of the feather members are
omitted).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention discloses a turkey decoy 1 having a
movable tail. See FIG. 1. The decoy 1 is comprised of a frame 90, a
tail assembly 200, and a tail movement mechanism 300. See FIG. 5A.
Optionally, the decoy 1 also comprises a securing member 100, which
secures the decoy 1 to the ground 10. The tail assembly 200 is
pivotally connected to the frame 90 and holds a plurality of
feather members 210 in movable relation to each other. The tail
movement mechanism 300 causes the tail assembly 200 to move
relative to the frame 90 and the feather members 210 to move
relative to each other.
[0026] The frame 90 provides the structure for the decoy 1. It must
be substantially rigid and may be constructed of wood, plastic,
composite materials, or other materials, with the preferred
embodiment being made of metal. The frame 90 includes a
substantially horizontally oriented rod which serves as a pivot
point 122 for the tail assembly 200. An optional top cross member
124 of the frame 90 may be angled at its midpoint and attached to
the pivot point 122. See FIG. 1.
[0027] The optional securing member 100 can be any device that is
capable of securing the decoy 1 to the ground 10. It must be
substantially rigid and may be constructed of wood, plastic,
composite materials, or other materials, with the preferred
embodiment being made of metal. In one embodiment it is comprised
of a pair of elongate legs 110, each leg 110 oriented substantially
parallel to the other leg 110, with the distal ends of the legs 110
configured to allow for insertion of the lower portions of the legs
110 into the ground 10. See FIGS. 2 and 5A. The distal ends of the
legs 110 of the securing member 100 may be pointed to ease
insertion into the ground 10. Alternatively, the legs 110 may
terminate in feet that rest on the ground 10. Joining the legs 110
are one or more cross members 120, oriented substantially
perpendicular to the legs 110. In the preferred embodiment, the
frame 90 is integrated with the securing member 100.
[0028] The tail assembly 200 is a representation of the tail of a
male turkey. It comprises a plurality of feather members 210. Each
feather member 210 is comprised of a feather element 212 and a
sleeve 220. Each of the feather elements 212 is a representation of
a tail feather of a male turkey. It may be made of a synthetic
material, such as plastic or vinyl, or paper, or fabric. Such
feather elements 212 may be colored in the pattern of a natural
turkey tail feather. In the preferred embodiment natural feathers
are used for the feather elements 212, preferably natural turkey
tail feathers. Each feather element 212 comprises a vane 214 and a
shaft 216, with the shaft 216 integrated with the vane 214. The
shaft 216 has a distal portion extending beyond the vane 214.
[0029] The sleeve 220 of each feather member 210 is elongate and
may have a hollow interior and an opening at its upper end. The
distal portion of the shaft 216 of each feather element 212 is
secured to the sleeve 220, preferably by inserted it through the
upper end opening and into the hollow interior of its corresponding
sleeve 220, though other means of attachment are also contemplated
(for example, by gluing the distal portion of the shaft 216 of each
feather element 212 to the upper end of its corresponding sleeve
220). Each sleeve 220 may be cylindrical, or rectangular in cross
section, or any other suitable shape, and should be several inches
in length. The hollow interior of each sleeve 220 may be fully
enclosed by the exterior of the sleeve 220 or open through one or
more apertures or slots formed into the exterior of the sleeve 220.
In one embodiment, the upper end of each sleeve 220 accommodates
multiple feather elements 212, for example, by having a "Y" shape
with each arm of the "Y" having a feather element 212 secured
thereto.
[0030] The plurality of feather members 210 is held within a
feather member holder 240. See FIGS. 1 and 2. The feather member
holder 240 may be comprised of a first plate 242 and a second plate
244, with the first and second plates 242,244 being substantially
planar and oriented parallel to and spaced apart from each other,
forming a gap 246 therebetween. See FIG. 3. The first and second
plates 242,244 may be made of any suitable rigid material; in the
preferred embodiment, the plates are made of metal. The feather
members 210 are placed within the gap 246 of the feather member
holder 240. Alternatively, the feather member holder 240 may be
comprised only of a single plate 242; in such embodiment, the
feather members 210 are pivotally secured to the feather member
holder 240 on one side of the single plate 242.
[0031] The portion of the feather member holder 240 located on one
side of the midpoint of the feather member holder 240 is designated
the first arm 252 of the feather member holder 240, and the portion
of the feather member holder 240 located on the opposite side of
the midpoint of the feather member holder 240 is designated the
second arm 254 of the feather member holder 240. The first arm 252
and the second arm 254 of the feather member holder 240 may be
collinear, such that, together with a substantially perpendicular
central attachment component 256, the feather member holder 240 has
a "T" shape. In the preferred embodiment, the first arm 252 of the
feather member holder 240 is at an acute angle relative to the
central attachment component 256 and the second arm 254 of the
feather member holder 240 is at a similar acute angle relative to
the central attachment component 256, such that the first and
second arms 252,254, together with the central attachment component
256, give the feather member holder 240 an arrow shape. See FIGS.
4A and 4B.
[0032] The feather members 210 are arranged linearly within the
feather member holder 240, being placed within the gap 246 between
the first and second plates 242,244 of the feather member holder
240 such that an upper portion 222 of the sleeve 220 of each
feather member 210 extends above the feather member holder 240 and
a lower portion 224 of the sleeve 220 of each feather member 210
extends below the feather member holder 240. See FIGS. 1 and 2.
Alternatively, where the feather member holder 240 is comprised of
just a single plate 242, the feather members 210 are arranged
linearly along the single plate 242 of the feather member holder
240 such that an upper portion 222 of the sleeve 220 of each
feather member 210 extends above the feather member holder 240 and
a lower portion 224 of the sleeve 220 of each feather member 210
extends below the feather member holder 240. The feather members
210 are distributed substantially equally between the first and
second arms 252,254 of the feather member holder 240. Each feather
member sleeve 220 is pivotally secured within the feather member
holder 240. This may be by use of a pivot pin 230 located on the
feather member sleeve 220 at a pivot point between the upper and
lower portions 222,224 of the sleeve 220, with each said pivot pin
230 running from the first plate 242 to the second plate 244 of the
feather member holder 240. Where only a single plate 242 is used,
each said pivot pin 230 secures its corresponding sleeve 220 to the
single plate of the feather member holder 240.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the feather members 210 are
located proximate to each other such that a pivotal movement of one
feather member 210 causes it to contact an adjacent feather member
210, which in turn causes said adjacent feather member 210 to
pivotally move and contact the next adjacent feather member 210,
causing it to pivotally move, and so on. In an alternative
embodiment, the lower portion 224 of each sleeve 220 located within
the first arm 252 of the feather member holder 240 is pivotally
attached to a first movement rod 372, and the lower portion 224 of
each sleeve 220 located within the second arm 254 of the feather
member holder 240 is pivotally attached to a second movement rod
374. See FIG. 6. The first and second movement rods 372,374 keep
the sleeves separate from each other, while movement of the first
movement rod 372 causes each sleeve 220 attached thereto to pivot
simultaneously with each other sleeve 220 attached thereto, and
movement of the second movement rod 374 causes each sleeve 220
attached thereto to pivot simultaneously with each other sleeve 220
attached thereto. Thus is described two alternative tail fanning
mechanisms of the tail assembly 200. Each tail fanning mechanism is
suitably adapted to move the individual feather members 210 in
relation to each other such that the feather members 210 may be
positioned in a fanned state and an unfanned state. The tail
fanning mechanisms are further adapted to being controlled remotely
by an operator.
[0034] In one embodiment, the feather member holder 240 has a
central attachment component 256, located between the first and
second arms 252,254 and extending downward. See FIG. 1. In the
preferred embodiment the central attachment component 256 is
comprised of a downward extension of the first plate 242 of the
feather member holder 240 and a downward extension of the second
plate 244 of the feather member holder 240, with the downward
extensions of the first and second plates 242,244 being
substantially planar and oriented parallel to and spaced apart from
each other, forming a gap therebetween. In this embodiment there
may be reinforcing members 248 located between the pair of downward
extensions. The central attachment component 256 serves as the
point of pivotal attachment of the tail assembly 200 to the frame
90. In an alternative embodiment the central attachment component
256 is comprised of a downward extension of the single plate 242 of
the feather member holder 240, with the downward extension of the
single plate 242 being substantially planar. The central attachment
component 256 serves as the point of pivotal attachment of the tail
assembly 200 to the frame 90. In one embodiment the lower portion
of the central attachment component 256 is curled into a tube. In
such embodiment the pivot point cross member 122 of the frame 90 is
removable from the frame 90 and insertable through the tube formed
into the lower portion of the central attachment component 256,
thereby allowing the central attachment component 256 to pivot
about the pivot point cross member 122 of the frame 90.
[0035] The tail assembly 200 may further comprise an elongate,
substantially rigid attachment member 260. The attachment member
260 may be made of metal, plastic, composites, wood, or other
materials. It is pivotally attached at its lower end to the frame
90 at the pivot point cross member 122 of the frame 90. The
attachment member 260 of the tail assembly 200 is secured to the
central attachment component 256 of the feather member holder 240.
In one embodiment, the attachment member 260 of the tail assembly
200 is integrated with the central attachment component 256 of the
feather member holder 240, such that the central attachment
component 256 serves as the attachment member 260. The point of
attachment of the attachment member 260 to the frame 90 may be one
or more rings affixed to the lower portion of the attachment member
260, or it may be an aperture 267 passing through the lower portion
of the attachment member 260; in either case, the pivot point cross
member 122 passes therethrough. In one embodiment, where there is
an aperture 267 in the attachment member 260, the attachment member
260 may have a first portion 262 and a second portion 264, where
the first and second portions 262,264 are joined together. In this
embodiment the first and second portions 262,264 are removably
secured to each other around the pivot point cross member 122 of
the frame 90 by one or more fasteners 268, for example, by bolts
and wingnuts. See FIG. 3. In another embodiment, the attachment
member 260 is monolithic, with an aperture 267 formed into its
lower end. In such embodiment the pivot point cross member 122 of
the frame 90 is removable from the frame 90 and insertable through
the aperture 267 of the attachment member 260. This same
configuration may be used where there are one or more rings affixed
to the lower portion of the attachment member 260.
[0036] The tail movement mechanism 300 is configured to cause the
tail assembly 200 to move relative to the frame 90, and is further
adapted to being controlled remotely by an operator. In one aspect
the tail movement mechanism 300 raises the tail assembly 200
relative to the ground 10. See FIGS. 5A and 5B. In another aspect
the tail movement mechanism 300 causes the plurality of feather
members 210 of the tail assembly 200 to fan out relative to each
other. See FIGS. 1 and 2. The tail movement mechanism 300 may rely
upon gravity to lower the tail assembly 200 and to unfan the
feather members 210, or it can use biasing means to achieve these
actions. In the preferred embodiment the tail movement mechanism
300 employs a control cord 310 in fixed and moveable connection
with various components of the decoy 1 to cause the raising of the
tail assembly 200 and the fanning of the feather members 210, and
employs a plurality of biasing means to reverse these actions. The
control cord 310 may be made of any suitable material, e.g., twine,
monofilament line, wire, cabling, etc., or a combination of
same.
[0037] An operator controls the movement of the tail assembly 200
by applying or releasing a force, respectively, to the control cord
310. The application of a force on the control cord 310 is suitably
adapted to move the tail assembly 200 in a substantially upward
direction. The release of a force from the control cord 310 is
suitably adapted to allow the tail assembly 200 to move in a
substantially downward direction. The applying or releasing of the
force may be accomplished by the operator manually pulling on the
control cord 310. In such case the control cord 310 may be of
considerable length, preferably of several dozen yards, to allow
the operator to control the movement of the tail assembly 200
remotely and out of detection of intended prey turkeys. The
applying or releasing of the force may alternatively be
accomplished electronically. In such case the control cord 310 is
relatively short and is attached to a small electronic actuator
which is activated by a remote electronic signaling device.
[0038] In one embodiment, the tail assembly 200 comprises a control
cord attachment point 270 located on the central attachment
component 256 of the feather member holder 240 of the tail assembly
200. See FIG. 4A. The control cord 310 is attached to the control
cord attachment point 270. The control cord attachment point 270
may be a ring affixed to the central attachment component 256 of
the feather member holder 240. Pulling on the control cord 310
causes the tail assembly 200 to pivot upward relative to the ground
10. See FIGS. 2 and 5B. When the control cord 310 is released,
gravity causes the tail assembly 200 to pivot downward relative to
the ground 10. See FIGS. 1 and 5A. Alternately, one or more tail
assembly biasing members 350, such as springs or rubber bands, may
be attached to the tail assembly 200 on the side of the tail
assembly 200 opposite the control cord attachment point 270 and to
the securing member 100, preferably to a cross member 120 located
proximate to the pivot point cross member 122. When the control
cord 310 is pulled and the tail assembly 200 pivots upward, the
tail assembly biasing member 350 is extended, and when the control
cord 310 is released the tail assembly biasing member 350 retracts
and assists in pivoting the tail assembly 200 downward. In a
preferred embodiment, the top cross member 124 of the frame 90
comprises a control cord guide 126 at its midpoint. The control
cord guide 126 may be an aperture in the top cross member 124 or a
ring affixed thereto. The control cord 310 passes through the
control cord guide 126 to the control cord attachment point
270.
[0039] In one embodiment, the sleeve 220 of one of the feather
members 210 located within the first arm 252 of the feather member
holder 240 has a sleeve cord guide 342 located at its lower end,
and the sleeve 220 of one of the feather members 210 located within
the second arm 254 of the feather member holder 240 has a sleeve
cord guide 344 located at its lower end. Preferably, the outermost
sleeves 220 of the first and second arms 252,254 are fitted with
the sleeve cord guides 342,344. These sleeve cord guides 342,344
may be rings or hooks affixed to the sleeves 220. A portion of the
control cord 310 proximate to the control cord attachment point 270
is comprised of a pair of sub-control cords 320,330, of
substantially equal length. The first sub-control cord 320 passes
through the sleeve cord guide 342 of the sleeve 220 of the feather
member 210 located within the first arm 252, while the second
sub-control cord 330 passes through the sleeve cord guide 344 of
the sleeve 220 of the feather member 210 located within the second
arm 254. See FIG. 4A. So configured, the first and second
sub-control cords 320,330 form a diamond shape. Pulling on the
control cord 310 causes the first and second sub-control cords
320,330 to be drawn towards each other, which in turn causes the
lower portion 224 of the sleeve 220 of the feather member 210
located within the first arm 252 to pivot towards the central
attachment component 256 of the feather member holder 240, and the
lower portion 224 of the sleeve 220 of the feather member 210
located within the second arm 254 to pivot towards the central
attachment component 256 of the feather member holder 240. See FIG.
4B. This inward movement of the lower portions 224 of the sleeves
220 causes those sleeves 220 to press against and move the lower
portions 224 of the sleeves 220 of the feather members 210 adjacent
thereto, which in turn move the sleeves 220 adjacent thereto, and
so on, resulting in all of the lower portions 224 of the sleeves
220 of the feather members 210 to simultaneously pivot toward the
central attachment component 256 of the feather member holder 240.
Concomitantly, all of the upper portions 222 of the sleeves 220 of
the feather members 210 simultaneously pivot away from the central
attachment component 256 of the feather member holder 240,
resulting in the fanning of the feather members 210 of the tail
assembly 200. See FIG. 2. The application of force to the control
cord 310 which causes the lifting of the tail assembly 200 thus
also causes the fanning of the feather members 210, and the release
of force from the control cord 310 which causes the lowering of the
tail assembly 200 also causes the unfanning of the feather members
210. In another embodiment, no sub-control cords 320,330 are used,
and instead the sleeves 220 pivot to a fanned state and to an
unfanned state merely by force of gravity.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment, a biasing mechanism, such as a
spring or a rubber band, may be attached to each of the sleeve cord
guides 342,344 of the sleeves 220 and to the frame 90, or
alternatively to the legs 110 of the securing member 100. See FIG.
4A. When the control cord 310 is pulled and the pair of sub-control
cords 320,330 move towards each other, the first feather member
biasing member 362 and the second feather member biasing member 364
are extended, see FIG. 4B, and when the control cord 310 is
released the first feather member biasing member 362 and the second
feather member biasing member 364 retract and draw the sub-control
cords 320,330 apart. The retraction of the feather member biasing
members 362,364 also moves the lower portions 224 of the sleeves
220 in the opposite direction as described above, resulting in all
of the lower portions 224 of the sleeves 220 of the feather members
210 simultaneously pivoting away from the central attachment
component 256 of the feather member holder 240, and all of the
upper portions 222 of the sleeves 220 of the feather members 210
simultaneously pivoting toward the central attachment component 256
of the feather member holder 240, resulting in the unfanning of the
feather members 210 of the tail assembly 200.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment comprising the first and second
movement rods 372,374, the first movement rod 372 has a sleeve cord
guide 342 attached thereto, preferably located at its outside end,
and the second movement rod 374 has a sleeve cord guide 344
attached thereto, preferably located at its outside end. These
sleeve cord guides 342,344 are as described above. As described
above, the first sub-control cord 320 passes through the sleeve
cord guide 342 of the first movement rod 372, while the second
sub-control cord 330 passes through the sleeve cord guide 344 of
the second movement rod 374. See FIG. 6. Pulling on the control
cord 310 causes the first and second sub-control cords 320,330 to
be drawn towards each other, which in turn causes the first and
second movement rods 372,374 to pivot towards the central
attachment component 256 of the feather member holder 240,
resulting in the lower portion 224 of the sleeves 220 to also pivot
towards the central attachment component 256 of the feather member
holder 240. As described above, this inward movement of the lower
portions 224 of the sleeves 220 causes all of the upper portions
222 of the sleeves 220 of the feather members 210 to simultaneously
pivot away from the central attachment component 256 of the feather
member holder 240, resulting in the fanning of the feather members
210 of the tail assembly 200. The application of force to the
control cord 310 causes the fanning of the feather members 210, and
the release of force from the control cord 310 causes the unfanning
of the feather members 210. As described above, a biasing mechanism
may be used to facilitate to unfanning of the feather members
210.
[0042] What has been described and illustrated herein is a
preferred embodiment of the turkey tail decoy 1 of the present
invention, along with some it its variations. The terms,
descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of
illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within
the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant
in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.
Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are therefore
also within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *